McDonald’s Japan Introduces Mushroom Risotto Balls

McDonald’s Japan is getting some surprisingly high-end treats in stock for fall. First there was the purple sweet potato milkshake that debuts tomorrow, and there is even a matcha and Oreo McFlurry on the menu. And now the chain has even introduced its own version of arancini -- the Sicilian specialty of rice balls stuffed with filling and fried until they look like little breaded oranges.

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According to Rocket News 24, McDonald’s Japan is rolling out Mushroom Risotto Balls as an autumn special. The limited-time offering is a small ball of brown rice risotto stuffed with mixed mushrooms — maitake, bunashimeji, king oyster mushroom, and white mushrooms — in mushroom sauce. The balls are breaded and fried until they are crisp and golden brown.

The Mushroom Risotto Balls seem like a surprisingly fancy dish for a quick-service snack, and they sound like a nice alternative to a box of chicken McNuggets. If you’re not in Japan in time to try the seasonal special, check out our best arancini recipes to make the original for yourself.